Fact of the day

At the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Fritz Thiedemann - who had commanded a German cavalry unit during World War Two before being captured towards the end and interned in a Russian prison camp - created a unique piece of history. The farmer's son earned bronze medals in both individual show jumping and team dressage to become the only rider in Olympic history to win medals in two equestrian disciplines at the same Games. He went on to gold medals in team jumping at the 1956 Olympics, when the equestrian events were held in Stockholm, and Rome 1960. The Thiedemann rein is named after him.

Featured Job

Lead all marketing efforts for the NBA across Asia. Create and develop brand and marketing strategies for the region across a variety of business initiatives and disciplines based on research and other specified campaigns.

January 25 - Tokyo 2020 has today revealed Daiwa House Industry, Japan's largest homebuilder, as one of five new official bid partners to have thrown their support behind the city's bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

January 21 - Turkey's largest companies have thrown their support behind Istanbul's bid to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics by pledging more than $20 million (£13 million/€15 million) to sponsor the campaign, it has been announced.

January 16 - Tokyo 2020 has switched its proposed Olympic golfing venue, in a move that would situate the battle for medals in one of the newest – and potentially most high-profile – Olympic sports well away from the zones where most Games venues would be located.

This year's International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Championships take place from this week, but will it be a case of history repeating itself with more success for the hosts in Winterberg or will overseas athletes, specifically Olympic champions from Great Britain, Russia and Canada, continue their outstanding form to scupper Germany's chances and claim the golds? Mike Rowbottom reports.